§ 17. LUTHER AS PROFESSOR TILL 1617. 135
five in 1505, partly in consequence of the pestilence, began to rise again in 1507, and when Luther and Melanchthon stood on the summit of their fame, they attracted thousands of pupils from all countries of Europe. Melanchthon heard at times eleven languages spoken at his hospitable table.
§ 27. Luther as Professor till 1517.
Luther was suddenly called by Staupitz from the Augustinian Convent of Erfurt to that of Wittenberg with the expectation of becoming at the same time a lecturer in the university. He arrived there in October, 1508, was called back to Erfurt in
THE ‘‘ LuTHER-HovusE”’ (previously the Augustinian Convent), before its recent restoration. It contains the Luther-Museum.
autumn, 1509, was sent to Rome in behalf of his order, 1510, returned to Wittenberg, 1511, and continued there till a few days before his death, 1546.
He lived in the convent, even after his marriage. His plain study, bed-room and lecture-hall are still shown in the “Lutherhaus.” The lowliness of his work-shop forms a sublime contrast to the grandeur of his work. From their humble dwellings
136 THE GERMAN REFORMRTION. A.D. 1517 τὸ 1590.
Luther and Melanchthon exerted a mightier influence than the contemporary popes and kings from their gorgeous palaces. Luther combined the threefold office of sub-prior, preacher and professor. He preached both in his convent and in the townchurch, sometimes daily for a week, sometimes thrice in one day, during Lent in 1517 twice every day. He was supported by the convent. As professor he took no fees from the students, and received only a salary of one hundred guilders, which after his marriage was raised by the Elector John to two hundred guilders.!
LUTHER’s ROOM IN WITTENBERG. From a photograph.
He first lectured on scholastic philosophy and explained the Aristotelian dialectics and physics. But he soon passed through the three grades of bachelor, licentiate, and doctor of divinity (October 18th and 19th, 1512), and henceforth devoted himself exclusively to the sacred science which was much more congenial to
1“ Wore es nicht geschehen,” says Luther, “so hatte ich nach meiner Verheirathung mir vorgenommen, fiir Honorar zu lesen. Aber da mir Gott zuvorkam, so habe ich mein Leben lang kein Exemplar [he means, of his writings] verkauft, noch gelesen um Lohn, will auch den Ruhm, will’s Gott, mit mir ins Grab nehmen.” Jiirgens, II., 248 sq.
§ 27. LUTHER AS PROFESSOR TILL 1617. 137
his taste. Staupitz urged him into these academic dignities,’ and the Elector who had been favorably impressed with one of his sermons, offered to pay the expenses (fifty guilders) for the acquisition of the doctorate.2 Afterward in seasons of trouble Luther often took comfort from the title and office of his doctorate of divinity and his solemn oath to defend with all his might the Holy Scriptures against all errors.’ He justified the burning of the Pope’s bull in the same way. But the oath of ordination and of the doctor of theology implied also obedience to the Roman - church (ecclesie Romane obedientiam) and her defence against all heresies condemned by her.*
With the year 1512 his academic teaching began in earnest, and continued till 1546, at first in outward harmony with the Roman church, but afterward in open opposition to it.
He was well equipped for his position, according to the advantages of his age, but very poorly, according to modern requirements, as far as technical knowledge is concerned.
1 Luther remembered the pear tree under which Staupitz overcame his objections to the labors and responsibilities of the doctorate. He thought himself unable to endure them with his frail body, but Staupitz replied playfully and in prophetic anticipation of the great work in store for him: “Jn Gottes Namen! Unser Herr Gott hat grosse Geschafte; Er bedarf droben auch Kluger Leute ; wenn Ihr nun sterbet, so miisset Ihr dort sein Rathgeber sein.”
2 See K. F. Th. Schneider, Luther’s Promotion zum Doctor und Melanchthon’s zum Baccalaureus der Theologie, Neuwied, 1860 (38 pp.). He gives Luther’s Latin oration which he delivered in honor of theology on the text: “TI will give you a mouth and wisdom” (Luke 21: 15). The expenses of the promotion to the degree of the baccalaureate, Luther never paid. The records of the dean note this fact: “Adhuc non satisfecit facultati,” and Luther afterward wrote on the margin: “ Nec faciet, quia tune pauper et sub obedientia nthil habuit.’ Schneider, p. 6.
3 See his utterances on the importance of his doctorate in Mathesius (Sermons I. and XV.) and Jiirgens (II., 405-408). Jiirgens points out and explains (p. 424 sqq.) the inconsistency of Luther in his appeal to human authority and overestimate of the official title. Every step in his public career was accompanied by scruples of conscience which he had to solve the best way he could.
* Kostlin says (Engl. transl. of the short biography, p. 65): “Obedience to the Pope was not required at Wittenberg, as it was at other universities.” But it is implied in obedience to the Roman church. The university was chartered by the Emperor Maximilian, but the Elector had not neglected to secure the papal sanction. See Jiirgens, II. 207.